Tennessee Whiskey
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The first recording I’m sharing here is “Tennessee Whiskey,” inspired specifically by Chris Stapleton’s version of the song. I’ve used his interpretation as a starting point—a familiar frame that gave me room to explore my own take on it.
I’ve been performing it for years, both solo and with several different bands. Like many singers, I was originally drawn to Stapleton’s incredible vocal delivery, and I’ll admit I tried to lean into some of that early on. Over time, though, my own phrasing and tone naturally found their way in, and the song slowly became something that felt like mine.
You might notice two brief stops just before the verses. That wasn’t planned. It first happened when our drummer,
Milo Jennings, suprised me when he dropped it at a live gig. But the effect was immediate—the verses suddenly popped—and from that moment on, it became part of how I hear the song.
Another standout for me is Douglas McFetridge’s pedal steel, which floats over the track and adds a beautiful sense of space. I also replaced the traditional guitar parts with piano, which helped pull the arrangement closer to my own musical instincts.
This version isn’t about trying to outdo what already exists. It’s simply my way of honoring a great song while letting it pass through the people, moments, and choices that shaped it along the way.
